Cabbage rolls are a trendy dish in many countries. The dish consists of cooked cabbage leaves with fillings and is commonly served with other food or dishes.
Here is what to serve with cabbage rolls:mashed potatoes, spaetzle, applesauce, salad, and many more, making them a perfect side dish.
Cabbage Rolls. Credit: canva
However, if you don’t like either of these options, you should try serving them with something else. This article will look at different ways to serve.
They are a dish made by wrapping cooked cabbage leaves around something you want. It tastes good.
It is common in the cuisines of Central, Northern, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe and parts of Western Asia. This includes North Africa.
The nation determines the ingredients and fillings of this meal. Almost every culture has its distinct variation.
The dish’s flavor varies from country to country.
What to Serve with Cabbage Rolls?
The most common way in the US is probably as an appetizer (and it often is). However, you can also make it your main course as a complete meal.
You can serve them with something starchy, fruity, or meaty. You can also pick vegetables and salads as a side dish.
When it comes to side dishes, going in the “comfort” direction is usually a good idea for your taste bud.
Mashed Potatoes
Cabbage Rolls with Mashed Potatoes. Credit: canva
Mashed potato is a very common side dish.
This starchy food tastes great with this meal. It also goes perfectly with the dish’s sauce, consisting of tomatoes or tomato paste and spices like parsley, dill weed, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Spaetzle
Another option is Spaetzle. Spaetzle is a German dish of egg-based dough cut into small pieces and then boiled or broiled in butter, milk, and salt.
When it comes to these two side dishes, they both work great as accompaniments for meaty fillings like ground meat, steak, or roast.
Applesauce
Consider apple sauce if you want something fruity with a refreshing flavor to serve.
This side dish is perfect if the main filling meal consists of beef and pork mix because it goes well together. In addition, the sweetness in the sauce tastes great.
Green Salad
Cabbage Rolls with Green Salad. Credit: canva
Salad is also an excellent side dish. It comes in many variations, but it can be served as a simple green salad with some dressing or sauce.
If you are unfamiliar with salads and their preparation, you should look them up because there are many options.
Roasted Red Potatoes
You can also serve them with roasted red potatoes. This simple side dish offers some variety from the “comfort” category. It tastes great and goes well with meaty fillings, too.
Barley Pilaf
Another option is barley pilaf.
This side dish consists of cooked pearl barley mixed with onions, carrots, garlic,, and broth boiling for a long time.
Colcannon
Colcannon. Credit: canva
You can also serve them with colcannon. This side dish is a mixture of boiled and mashed potatoes mixed with chopped kale and some onion and butter.
Mediterranean Couscous
They go well with Mediterranean couscous as well. This side dish consists of steamed semolina served with vegetables, garlic, and lemon juice.
Paprika Potatoes
Another alternative is paprika potatoes.
This side dish consists of boiled cubed potato cubes mixed in a large pan with paprika powder, onion or leeks, salt, and pepper for seasoning. You can add other things like bacon, sour cream, and butter.
Rice Pilaf
You can serve them with rice pilaf as well.
This side dish consists of cooked basmati or jasmine rice mixed with different ingredients like carrots, onion, celery, and saffron for coloring.
Vegetable Fritters
If you are looking for a starchy side dish that is also fruity, consider vegetable fritters.
This side dish consists of grated vegetables mixed with flour and then fried in the pan until they are crispy on the outside but tender inside.
Baked Potato Wedges
Another option is baked potato wedges. It consists of cut-up potatoes seasoned with salt, pepper, and other spices like basil or thyme.
Garlic Roasted Carrots
You can also serve it with garlic roasted carrots.
This side dish consists of peeled and cut-up baby carrots covered in olive oil, minced garlic cloves, and salt for seasoning.
Roasted Green Beans
Another option is to roast green beans instead. You can steam or boil them before roasting, but make sure they are firm and not soft when you bite them.
Roasted Pumpkin or Squash
Another alternative side dish is roasted pumpkin (or squash) which consists of peeled, seeded, and cubed pumpkins (or other winter squash like acorn) tossed in olive oil along with salt and cayenne pepper for seasoning.
Homemade Rye Bread
Cabbage Rolls with Rye Bread. Credit: canva
This side dish consists of dough mixed with water, yeast, and other ingredients like salt, wheat flour, or whole grain flour (which adds flavor) for taste. You can also add caraway seeds to make them more flavorful.
Homemade Buns/Rolls
Another side dish option to serve with is homemade buns or buttered bread rolls. This consists of flour and water mixed and kneaded, yeast and sugar for taste (along with some salt).
Baked Potato Fries
This side dish consists of cut-up potatoes fried in a pan until they are crispy and golden on the outside. It is seasoned with salt, pepper, and other spices for taste.
Pierogi
If you want to serve a side dish that can also be eaten as an appetizer, consider pierogi.
This consists of boiled and peeled potatoes mashed with flour, eggs, and different spices like salt, pepper, or nutmeg for taste (and some grated cheese).
The dough is cut into circles before it is stuffed with the filling mixture. They are then boiled for a few minutes and sometimes fried in butter with onions before serving.
Braised Leeks
Braised Leeks are sliced and then boiled or steamed leeks, seasoned with salt and pepper before they are cooked in a frying pan together with butter for flavor.
Baked Mac and Cheese
This family favorites dish consists of pasta mixed with creamy sauces containing butter, flour, milk, cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella and spices for taste (like salt).
It is then placed in the oven before it is topped off with bread crumbs before baking.
Kielbasa
Kielbasa and Sauerkraut. Credit: canva
Kielbasa consists of smoked or boiled sausages and then grilled before they are eaten, which can be seasoned with salt and pepper for taste (or other spices like paprika).
Pancakes
Pancakes can also be served as a side dish. This consists of egg and milk whisked together before mixed with flour, salt, and baking powder for taste (and some water).
Tomato Soup
This consists of chopped tomatoes boiled together with water and spices like salt, pepper, or basil for taste (and some sugar). It can also be blended until smooth before it is poured into a pan and heated through again.
Bean Salad
You can also serve them with a bean salad. This consists of string beans, green peas, and lima beans mixed with mayonnaise and salt for taste (and some sugar).
Borscht
Another option is to serve them with borscht containing beef or chicken broth that has been boiled along with different vegetables like carrots and potatoes, as well as dill for taste (and some beetroots give it a red color).
Sautéed Mushrooms
Sauteed mushrooms consist of chopped and then cooked (or boiled) mushrooms in a frying pan with salt for taste (and some butter).
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
You can eat it with a grilled cheese sandwich consisting of bread slices that are buttered on one side before they are fried in a frying pan until the buttered side is browned.
The other piece is then put on top before being cooked again, and melted cheese is added to one of its sides and veggies like tomatoes, onions, or pickles for taste (and some salt).
Roasted Cauliflower
This consists of the vegetable cut into florets before they are boiled or steamed until tender and then placed in a baking pan with oil, salt for taste (and other spices like garlic powder).
Goulash
This consists of beef that has been cut into small chunks before being browned in a frying pan together with oil, onions, and different spices like salt, pepper, or paprika for taste (and some red wine). It is then covered and cooked until tender while stirring occasionally.
The sauce is thickened by adding flour and water before serving the dish.
Sauerkraut
This consists of shredded and then salted cabbage placed in a jar before it is fermented by the action of lactic acid bacteria for several weeks, while its sour taste.
How to Make Cabbage Rolls?
There are many varieties of dishes. Let’s learn how to make some of them.
Easy Cabbage Rolls
Ingredients
1 head of green cabbage
1 pound ground pork (or ground turkey)
½ pound ground beef
2 small onions diced
3 cloves garlic minced
½ teaspoon dill weed
3 tablespoons fresh parsley
1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz) undrained
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup uncooked rice
1 ½ cup + ⅓ cup tomato sauce or pasta sauce divided
1 can tomato soup 10.5 oz
Instructions
Place the cabbage head in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil for about 2 minutes, or until soft, and the leaves are pliable. Set aside to cool.
Cook rice according to the directions on the package, but do it for five minutes less. Take it out of the pot when it is slightly underdone.
Mix beef, pork (or turkey), onions, garlic, and seasonings. Cook the meat until it is no longer pink. Drain any fat that comes off of the meat.
Add rice, diced tomatoes, ⅓ cup of tomato/pasta sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix in an egg to hold everything together
Mix the tomato sauce and the soup. Spread a very thin layer of it in a 9×13 pan.
Remove or thin any thick stem on the leaves. Put ⅓ to ¼ cup of filling in the center of the leaf. Fold in the sides and roll it up. Place it seam-side down in a pan.
Repeat with remaining cabbage.
Put cabbage in a dish. Pour sauce on it and cover it with foil. Bake in medium heat for 75-90 minutes.
Let cool 10-15 minutes before serving.
Bratwurst-Stuffed Cabbage Rolls With Smoky Bacon-Tomato Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cabbage and Filling:
1 medium head Savoy cabbage, whole with core removed
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
12 ounces of light beer, such as a lager or pale ale
1 (28-ounce) can of tomato puree
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground caraway
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Non-stick cooking spray
Directions
For the Cabbage and Filling:
Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
Place cabbage in a large heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water and let stand 10 minutes.
In a pan, cook the bratwurst over medium-high heat. Stir the meat as it cooks. Drain off any fat that is in the pan. Put in some rice and mix it with the meat to combine everything.
For the Rolls and Tomato-based Sauce:
Brown the bacon in a pan over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes.
Add an onion and bell pepper to the pan. Cook them for about 4 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.
Add beer to a pot and bring it to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes and add crushed tomatoes, paprika, and caraway—season with salt and pepper.
Return to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and let it cook for 25 minutes.
Assemble:
Take the cabbage out of the water. Take off the large leaves from the head. Dry with a paper towel.
Fill each leaf with about 1/3 cup of sausage. Roll up in the same way as a burrito. Repeat with all the leaves.
Make sure the baking dish is covered in cooking spray. Put the rolls tightly together. Pour sauce on top and cover with aluminum foil—Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
Remove it from the oven, let them sit for 10 minutes, and then serve them.
FAQs
What does cabbage pair well with?
It pairs well with meats, dairy products, eggs, and nuts.
What dinner goes with cabbage?
Dinner partners cabbage with creamy pasta, pizza, and casserole dishes.
Related Topics
Is Cabbage Anti-Inflammatory?
Yes, it has anti-inflammatory properties. However, when cooked, it becomes less effective at reducing inflammation. The best way to eat it is raw, steamed, or sautéed.
What Meat Goes Well With Cabbage?
Bacon goes well with cabbage! If you’re looking for something different, try chicken, pork, or beef.
How Long Do Cabbage Rolls Last In The Fridge?
They can be kept in the fridge for up to five days if properly stored in a shallow airtight container or wrapped tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic.
Can You Reheat Cabbage In The Microwave?
Yes, you can reheat it in the microwave. To do this, simply cover with plastic wrap, and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes at full power.
What Do You Eat Sausage And Peppers With?
I eat sausage and peppers with pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, or anything else!
What Is A Good Side Dish For Italian Sausage Sandwiches?
The best side dish for Italian sausage sandwiches is potato salad. Potato salad has a creamy texture and a tangy flavor that goes well with Italian sausages.
